BI (CONTRACTING) PTY LTD v THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA & ANORCSR LIMITED v THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA & ANOR [2005] NSWCA 306

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: BI (CONTRACTING) PTY LTD v THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA & ANORCSR LIMITED v THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA & ANOR [2005] NSWCA 306

HEARING DATE(S): 10 August 2005

JUDGMENT DATE: 9 September 2005

JUDGMENT OF: Mason P at 1; Handley JA at 63; Beazley JA at 64

DECISION: Four appeals dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS: NEGLIGENCE - death as a result of a dust-related condition - mesothelioma - duty of care - foreseeability - whether nature and level of exposure to asbestos-dust was foreseeable - foreseeability of the precise risk of injury suffered not required - reasoning in CSR v Wren (1997) 44 NSWLR 463 - breach of duty - failure to warn - contribution between tortfeasors - apportionment of liability - moral culpability or blameworthiness. (ND)

LEGISLATION CITED: Dust Diseases Tribunal Act 1989

Bendix Mintex Pty Ltd v Barnes (1997) 42 NSWLR 307 Chapman v Hearse (1961) 106 CLR 112 Commonwealth v McLean (1996) 41 NSWLR 389 CSR Ltd v Wren (1997) 44 NSWLR 463, 15 NSWCCR 650 Downs v Chappell [1997] 1 WLR 426 Higgins v William Inglis & Son Pty Ltd [1978] 1 NSWLR 649 Julia Farr Services Inc v Hayes (2003) 24 NSWCCR 138 CASES CITED: Mount Isa Mines Ltd v Pusey (1970) 125 CLR 383 Pennington v Norris (1956) 96 CLR 10 Podrebersek v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd (1985) 59 ALJR 492 Rolls Royce Industrial Power (Pacific) Ltd v James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd (1999) 18 NSWCCR 385 Rolls Royce Industrial Power (Pacific) Ltd v James Hardie and Co Pty Ltd (2001) 53 NSWLR 626 Watt v Bretag (1982) 56 ALJR 760 Wyong Shire Council v Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40 at 44